Filibuster Definition

fĭlə-bŭstər
filibustered, filibustering, filibusters
noun
filibusters
The obstructing or delaying of legislative action, especially by prolonged speechmaking.
American Heritage
An adventurer who engages in unauthorized warfare against a country with which his own country is at peace; specif., any of the 19th-cent. U.S. adventurers who led armed expeditions into Latin American countries; freebooter.
Webster's New World
An instance of this, especially a prolonged speech.
American Heritage
The making of long speeches, introduction of irrelevant issues, etc. in order to obstruct the passage of a bill in the Senate.
Webster's New World
A member of the Senate who uses such methods.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
filibustered, filibustering, filibusters
To obstruct or delay legislative action, especially by making prolonged speeches.
American Heritage
To engage in unauthorized warfare as a freebooter.
Webster's New World
To engage in a filibuster.
Webster's New World

To take part in a private military action in a foreign country.

Wiktionary
To obstruct the passage of (a bill) by a filibuster.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Filibuster

Noun

Singular:
filibuster
Plural:
filibusters

Origin of Filibuster

  • From Spanish filibustero (“pirate”), from French flibustier, from Dutch vrijbuiter (“freebooter”), from vrij (“free”) + buit (“booty”) + -er (“agent”). Same construction and cognate to English freebooter.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Spanish filibustero freebooter from French flibustier from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate freebooter

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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